Schools and School Divisions Recognized for Raising Achievement of Economically Disadvantaged Students

Thirteen public school divisions and 118 schools are being honored by the Virginia Board of Education for raising the academic achievement of economically disadvantaged students. The awards are based on student achievement on state assessments during 2006-2007 and the previous school year.

The following school divisions earned the designation of "Distinguished Title I School Division" by exceeding all achievement objectives in reading and mathematics under the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) for two consecutive years and meeting other rigorous criteria:

Amelia County

Goochland County

Halifax County

Highland County

Hopewell

Lee County

Lynchburg

Nottoway County

Patrick County

Poquoson

Salem

Scott County

West Point

In addition, the board recognized 118 schools as "Title I Distinguished Schools" or maintaining full state accreditation under the commonwealth's Standards of Learning program for two consecutive years, meeting federal benchmarks in reading and mathematics and having average test scores in both subjects at the 60th percentile or higher.

"These awards show that all children– regardless of family income– can learn and achieve,"\" said Board of Education President Mark E. Emblidge. "With all this success it is easy to forget that there once was a widespread belief that children from economically disadvantaged communities should not be expected to meet high standards."

"\"Educators in these schools overcome challenges every day as they prepare children for brighter futures," said Superintendent of Public Instruction Billy K. Cannaday Jr. "They focus on each child and are not daunted by higher annual benchmarks."

Each school and division will receive a certificate celebrating its status and achievement. The recognized schools, grouped by division, are as follows:

Title I of NCLB provides funding to school divisions and schools for programs to raise the achievement of students identified as being at risk. The federal education law requires schools and school divisions to meet annual objectives for increasing student achievement on statewide assessments in reading/language arts and mathematics. During 2006-2007, 544, or 75 percent, of Virginia's 723 Title I schools met all NCLB objectives.